CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 245 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core mainstream desktop processor featuring the Arrow Lake-S architecture with a locked 65W TDP, designed for users who want modern Arrow Lake efficiency and features without the premium K-series pricing or power draw.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Solid multi-threaded performance from 14 cores, though the 65W power limit reduces sustained throughput compared to 125W siblings.
18 cores provide impressive multi-threaded performance for the price, handling video encoding, compilation, and multitasking workloads effectively.
Gaming
Handles 1080p gaming adequately when paired with a mid-range discrete GPU, but the lower clocks compared to K-series parts limit frame rates in CPU-bound titles.
The 5.3 GHz boost and strong IPC deliver excellent gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p. Pairs well with mid-to-high-end GPUs without creating bottlenecks.
Efficiency
Excellent performance-per-watt thanks to the TSMC 3nm compute tile and conservative power limits.
The 3nm compute tile helps, but 125W base and 159W PL2 are substantial for a budget chip. Still more efficient than comparable AMD offerings at full load.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 13 TOPS NPU 3 for lightweight AI tasks
- Combined 29 TOPS with CPU and GPU contributions
- Suitable for background AI features like noise cancellation and image enhancement
- Not designed for training or heavy inference workloads
- 13 TOPS NPU 3 retained from original Arrow Lake
- Combined 22 TOPS without iGPU contribution
- Suitable for Windows AI features and light local inference
- Serious AI workloads require a discrete GPU
Content Creation
Gaming
- 5.1 GHz boost is lower than the 245KF's 5.2 GHz
- Pairs well with GPUs up to RTX 4060 class without bottlenecking
- E-Cores contribute meaningfully in modern game engines
- iGPU can handle older or less demanding titles at low settings
- 5.3 GHz boost matches or exceeds most gaming-focused CPUs in its price range
- 18 threads ensure background tasks don't impact gaming performance
- No iGPU means a discrete GPU is mandatory
- Matches or beats Ryzen 5 9600X in most gaming titles
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency at 65W TDP
- Modern 3nm architecture with strong IPC
- Capable Arc Xe-LPG integrated graphics
- NPU 3 for AI features
- ECC memory support
- Lower cooling requirements than K-series
Cons
- Locked multiplier prevents CPU overclocking
- Lower boost clock than 245KF limits peak performance
- 65W power limit reduces sustained multi-thread throughput
- No Hyper-Threading on P-Cores
- LGA 1851 is a new platform with early-adopter costs
Pros
- Exceptional value at $184 for 18 cores
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- 5.3 GHz boost clock is competitive with much pricier CPUs
- DDR5-7200 native support
- B0 stepping with potential refinements
- 30MB L3 cache is larger than the original 245KF's 24MB
Cons
- No integrated graphics — discrete GPU required
- 125W TDP requires adequate cooling
- LGA 1851 platform is still relatively new with limited budget motherboard options
- No Hyper-Threading
- ECC memory support on this specific SKU needs verification
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core Ultra 5 245
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600XRival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600Rival
Value Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700XRival
Upper Mainstream
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-14400Rival
Previous Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 8600GRival
Desktop with iGPU
Unlocked multiplier and higher clocks for $24 more if you plan to overclock.
Compare head-to-headSignificantly more cores and higher clocks for $184 if you don't need integrated graphics.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600XRival
Mainstream Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600Rival
Value Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700XRival
Upper Mainstream
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 250K PlusRival
Same Class with iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700Rival
AM5 Value
Only consider if found at a significant discount, as the 250KF Plus is strictly better for less money.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 7600Alt
Lower total platform cost if you find a good AM5 motherboard deal, though the 250KF Plus outperforms it.
Our Verdict on Each
A sensible locked Arrow Lake chip that trades peak frequency for a modest 65W power envelope, making it ideal for small form factor builds and users who prioritize efficiency over overclocking headroom.
Best for: Building a compact, quiet, power-efficient desktop with modern features like NPU and PCIe 5.0 without paying K-series prices.
Read the full reviewAn extraordinary value proposition that packs 18 Arrow Lake Refresh cores with an unlocked multiplier into a $184 package. The lack of integrated graphics is a non-issue for most discrete GPU buyers, making this one of the best budget desktop CPUs available.
Best for: Building a new gaming or productivity PC on a budget where every dollar counts and you already plan to use a discrete GPU.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 5 245 or Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core Ultra 5 245 or Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 5 245 (65 W), Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus (125 W).
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1851 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core Ultra 5 245 (14 cores), Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus (18 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 5 245 (5,100), Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus (6,550). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.